Best of Show
Mistral II, a pastel by
Diana Smith of Pacheco,
California

Diana E. Smith of Pacheco, California, is a member of the California Pastel Society. Smith was the People's Choice Award winner at last year's 11th Annual Maritime Art Exhibition. "While in Florida, I was painting scenes of interesting fishing vessels. But it soon became very apparent to me that the boat, the fishing party and the homes on shore were insignificant when surrounded by the amazing sky that was constantly changing above it. Engulfed completely by the forces of Nature - the immense and every changing sky above and waters below - made a huge impact on what I chose to capture on paper that day".

Leander R. McCormick-Goodhart of Portland, Oregon, this is the first national award for this emerging artist. "Since early child hood I've been fascinated with wind driven ships, particularly square rigged vessels that transport people to new places." A Perilous Sea was inspired by a personal experience in stormy waters aboard a small boat off the coast of Washington. Created from my heart, with both first hand knowledge and imagination, it expresses my feelings from an earlier turbulent time in my life. Will the ship flounder or weather the storm? I believe hope will prevail".

Oregon International Port of Coos Bay's Commissioners Award
Perilous Sea, an oil by Leander R. McCormick Goodhart of Portland, Oregon

Coos Art Museum's Directors Award
Taylor Pond Passage, an oil by
James Magner of South
Glastonbury, Connecticut

James Magner, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists. "I chose to paint a scene of serenity, tranquility and discovery. The many inlets and salt ponds of Cape Cod, Massachusetts provide safe haven not only for birds and sea life but also many small craft and their passengers. Taylor Pond Passage shows a small craft high and dry waiting for its crew and the incoming tide to continue its exploration".

Stephan Ruell of New Canaan, Maine is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists. "It was a dead still, foggy morning when a Maine Windjammer, the schooner 'Mary Day', came ghosting in to anchor next to us in Dark Harbor at Isleboro, a small harbor on an island in Maine. The ink black water reflected the muted colors of the day against the ochre sails of the vessel. I considered myself lucky to be in Dark Harbor at that moment in time when the conditions made for a perfect composition. It was just a matter of capturing it on canvas."

People's Choice Award
Dark Harbor, an oil by Stephen
Ruell of Canaan, Maine